OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to assess the association between problematic smartphone usage (PSU) and anxiety.
METHODS: Using a prospective mixed methods cohort study design, students aged 13-16 year old from two schools were enrolled regarding their smartphone use, mood and sleep via a semistructured questionnaire at baseline and week 4. The primary outcome was symptoms of anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, GAD-7) and exposure was PSU (Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version). A linear regression was fitted to assess the change in anxiety. Thematic analysis of free-text responses was conducted.
RESULTS: The sample included 69 participants that were enrolled and followed up between 28 March and 3 June 2022. Of those with PSU, 44.4% exhibited symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety compared with 26.4% of those without PSU. There was a linear association between change in symptoms of anxiety and PSU β=0.18 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.32, p=0.013). Several themes were found: both positive and negative effects of smartphones on relationships; negative effects on school performance and productivity; mixed effects on mood; a desire to reduce the amount of time spent on smartphones.
CONCLUSIONS: Increased anxiety, depression and inability to sleep were seen in participants as their PSU score increased over time. Participants reported both positive and negative effects of smartphones and almost all used strategies to reduce use.
CONCLUSIONS: Interventions need to be developed and evaluated for those seeking support.
目的:本研究旨在评估有问题的智能手机使用(PSU)与焦虑之间的关联。
方法:使用前瞻性混合方法队列研究设计,来自两所学校的13-16岁学生被注册使用智能手机,在基线和第4周通过半结构化问卷进行情绪和睡眠。主要结局是焦虑症状(广泛性焦虑症问卷,GAD-7)和暴露是PSU(智能手机成瘾量表简版)。拟合线性回归以评估焦虑的变化。对自由文本答复进行了专题分析。
结果:样本包括在2022年3月28日至6月3日期间登记和随访的69名参与者。在那些有PSU的人中,44.4%表现出中度至重度焦虑症状,而没有PSU的患者为26.4%。焦虑症状的变化与PSUβ=0.18之间存在线性关系(95%CI为0.04至0.32,p=0.013)。发现了几个主题:智能手机对人际关系的正面和负面影响;对学校表现和生产力的负面影响;对情绪的混合影响;希望减少在智能手机上花费的时间。
结论:焦虑增加,参与者出现抑郁和无法睡眠,因为他们的PSU评分随着时间的推移而增加.参与者报告了智能手机的正面和负面影响,几乎所有使用的策略都减少了使用。
结论:需要为寻求支持的人制定和评估干预措施。